Can we have a forum for "older" people with bc?

How many of you get tumor marker blood tests every 3 - 4 months after treatment ends as part of checkups? If so, which ones? My MO does 27/29 and CEA.

Things are better today. I took Ryan to see his general practive doctor, whom he loves, and stopped for lunch. He is doing better today. He describes himself as an alcoholic suicidal depressive and his condition as having cancer of the soul. How awful for him. He's been dealing with crushing depression for over twenty years. He's so sorry that he finds himself at nearly 31 as a person with a limited future. He wishes he had been healthy enough to go to college but understands that really wasn't a reasonable goal at the time. Alcohol makes him feel better in the short term but of course he knows it's bad in the long run. He's not willing to give up on it, however, and we all know no one can make another person give up alcohol, or cigarettes, etc. The person has to be ready to do it before they can accept help. All we can do is support him day by day. He takes Xanax for anxiety but that's all and won't see a psychiatrist. He did that for many years and was on lots of different drugs but nothing helped so he will not repeat that. Hopefully he will feel good enough to go to work tomorrow. His doctor gave him a note to take to his boss, so his job shouldn't be in danger.

Mike is quite depressed. His voice sounds like an old man today, soft and hoarse. It's like he's given up. We're having lunch with some friends tomorrow and that usually cheers him up. He has agreed to speak to his oncologist and seems ready to accept any help that the behavioral health professionals can give, although he has no faith in it. "It's just talk," he says. I'm sure his feelings are common to people who've been given a fatal diagnosis. I found out he had been reading posts on the Graft vs. Host page. That's the illness that many people who've received bone marrow transplants suffer with for the rest of their often short lives. No wonder he's depressed. The stories are horrible.

Thanks for listening. I'll try to be more positive next time.

mysunshine: my onc does not do any blood markers. She does a complete physical every 4 months: looks in my eyes, mouth, ears, checks my neck, listens to heart and lungs, does a breast exam.

I go for checkups to my bc dr. who did the BMX. Usually see her NP, which is fine with me. I like Heather a lot. She does an ultrasound of my underarms and chest. I have had blood work for the markers. The first three years I went for a checkup every 6 months. Now it's annual. Can't remember whether I was tested for the markers last year. I've heard that some drs. don't put a lot of stock in them because the results can be misleading.

My gynecologist orders the test for the marker that indicates ovarian cancer because of my family history. My dad's mother died of ovarian cancer.

Sandra, when life is causing a lot of stress because of serious problems our loved ones are facing, we can't always be Polyanna. No apologies necessary. I really feel for Mike and for your son, too. Bad things happen to good people through no fault of their own. Hugs to you and to both of them.

Another beautiful day here. We just got home from another Paddlewheel cruise , from Chattanooga to NAshville. Had rain half the trip, but we cud still watch the river out our window! Still been catching up on stuff at home, bills, groceries , etc.

Wren your post op sounds like mine, no scans, or markers, dr. visits while on anastrazole etc. And my Mom was like yours, worried before there was anything to worry about.

Sandra, I saw a new/old thing on the news yesterday for depression, you give yourself a little shock , when feeling depressed. Seems to work for some people. Just an idea.

Hope you all have a good day. Jean

Good morning, everyone! It's a pretty sunny day here. I'm staying home and tackling the job of catching up on bank statements and clearing off my desk in the office. Yuk. Somebody has to do it and it's always me.

I woke up with a pain in a muscle in my upper back, below my right shoulder blade. It started to bother me during the night and I can't think of anything I did that would have "pulled" a muscle. I had dh apply some icy hot salve and took a couple of Tylenol.

Wishing everyone a good Wednesday.

I have tumor marker tests once a year. I am good with that! I am also a good worrier so this works well for me, I worry a few weeks before the bloodwork and a week after while I wait for the results and then I try to go on and lead the life I want to have.

The weather in Illinois is unbelievable for this time of year. I am even going to golf 9 holes this afternoon.

I spent 2 hour this morning wrapping Christmas presents. It was to the point where I needed to get all my purchases organized so I know what I have and what I still need to get. I love the shopping and pick things up all year long that I see to put in my gift stash for birthdays and Christmas but I HATE the wrapping and i don't even do fancy wrapping. I just throw paper around them. Some of the gift that I wrapped were also birthday presents as one of my grandsons has a birthday on Dec. 29th and the other has an early January birthday. Shipping is so expensive that I try to have their birthday presents all purchased and wrapped so we can take thm at Christmas. Then thy are there for them.

Big hugs to you, Sandra! I will keep you and your family in my prayers.

Jackie, my onc took me off the arimidex aftr 5 years, too. Sometimes I worry about that because it was like a security blanket....or at least I thought it was......but he said there wasn't enough long-term research about it for him to warrant keeping me on it. I guess we never know and just have to take some things on faith.

I think we must have all had the same mother! Mine was a worrier too.

After going through 2 years of worrying about something that never ended up happening, I've done a pretty good job of trying to live in the present and do what I have control over (eating healthy, getting my exercise, etc) and just put the rest away to be dealt with if necessary. Maybe the arimidex is weakening my bones, but worrying about it won't change it. Instead I'm taking my vit D, eating my calcium and Vit K foods, walking 10,000 steps a day, and doing weights twice a week. If my bone density test in a year shows a problem, then I'll do my research on what my options are at that time.

Hi everyone

MySunshine- my Drs have never mentioned testing for markers. I am not even sUre what that means. I have complete faith in my team, so I am sure there is a reason I do not need them.

Sandra - my heart goes out to you and your son. Having a child with a mental or emotional disability is hard. I know that from experience. Both of my adopted children have their issues, hence, the one thinks it is perfectly okay to live in a warehouse, with the goal of moving into box cars as soon as possible. My son was ADHD as a child, and had unreasonable fears, like when my DH and I went on a cruise, we could not get him to understand that we were not in any danger of hitting an iceberg because we were cruising in the Carribean. Every time, and I mean every time, we passed a canal, we had to reassure him that the crocodiles were not going to be able to get us. We live in So Fl and our city is full of canals. Even today, as well as he is doing, once he gets an idea in his head, no amount of logic can change his mind. But I know that is nothing compared to what Ryan is going through. He seems to have a pretty good grasp on what he is dealing with, while my kids live in denial. Jamie will joke that she has her crazy moments, but has no idea that her life and her children's lives are affected by that craziness. In fact, she thinks, other than those "occasional" moments, she is the best parent in the family. I hope Ryan moves through this particular incident quickly, and he finds peace for a while.

My brother is back in the hospital. If you remember, he was in the hospital around this time last year, with a melanoma that had grown into his brain. It was successfully removed and all was well. Yesterday he was admitted for a major infection in his gall bladder. They are draining it, and giving him antibiotics. They will remove it laparoscopically in 6-8 weeks. The problem is he was supposed to be starting "infusions" (I assume chemo) for a melanoma they found in his colon. That will now have to wait till this gall bladder thing is taken care of.

Hope you are all enjoying your Wed.

Anne

Good Morning to all,

There is a mild sun outside and it seems to have stayed fairly warm overnight. The house felt great when I got up. Had to open the front door later on. I noticed when Dh got up he turned on the I-heater and we didn't really need it. Habit I think !!!! Later though we may get a fair soaking -- sometimes it is hard to tell with the 'weather' maps and trajectories the weather people mention.

I work today but should be home long before anything begins. It does sound like it will cool us off though.

Anne, sure hope they can get your brother in good shape really soon. Hopefully they will and the chemo process can start. Never too soon in my book to take care of melanoma, or any cancer for the matter.

Rita, sounds like you were just like me -- feeling so vulnerable ( and I didn't actually expect to that much ) after the Arimidex ( Anastrozole ) was over. I've heard things both ways --- and there are different protocols -- like two yrs. of one Al and then three of another. Five yrs. of one and five of another. I think it is likely that there aren't totally clear-cut parameters and so your Oncologist just goes by his gut feelings. I'm ok with it now, but I know I should start thinking colonoscopy -- just dreading it. I've never had one. Wish they could come up with a "better" way than the harsh gallons of liquids beforehand. I don't seem to do that well with it -- but I think I need to try again. So for now --- it is mainly the yearly mamo's that cause me to hold my breath for a bit. I keep going all the way to Carbondale for them as they do the 3-D digital ones and that just shows everything there is to see --- and is good I think too for those ( like myself ) who have dense breast tissue.

Hope all are having a good Thurs. Warmth if possible -- for us that means some leaf blowing and yard clean-up.

See you all later.

Blessings

Jackie

Anne, forgot to say -- markers for cancer are numbers actually. It is done in a blood test and if your numbers are 30 or below, it is considered ok. Higher and they would likely look around a bit. The problem has been that there are things that may influence the test to be positive ( high) or negative ( low ) when it could actually be the opposite situation. My Dr. explained it to me this way. It is just one indication --- there would have to be a lot of investigations and other tests -- so by itself, it does not necessarily mean that much. When I was getting that test my marker started at 9 and the rest were at 14 and stayed there.

I have heard of Stave IV people actually having very low numbers and vice-versa. It is again just our individual bodies responding much differently to things. If I got any of this backward, please feel free anyone to jump in and correct me --- it's been a long time since I had anything much to do with markers.

Puffin, I never get selected for juries once my background--teacher and fiction writer--is revealed. The lawyers are afraid I might be sympathetic toward young offenders and/or too imaginative. So going into a jury pool is usually a waste of time for me. I wouldn't mind serving on a jury as long as the possible punishment isn't being put to death. I don't condone taking another person's life.

It was disgustingly hot here today, in the 80's and very humid. Not my ideal November weather.

Puffin, I'm getting tired of jury duty! I serverd on 2 juries and was called but not chosen for 3 more! The weirdest was the Great Tomato Sauce Caper. A federal case against a company, did they import sauce or chopped tomatoes. After several boring days , they won, as the inspectors only checked the containers 2 rows in! Cudn''t prove the declared containers contained Only tomatoes . Also had one local where a boy was hit crossing a street after the snow storm , with it piled high along the streets. Surprised they picked me, as I was in special ed and they were claiming problems, with no professional backup. Also got called but not picked on 2 other1 Finally when I got called again , I told them I have IBS and the woman said she wud fix it so I didn't get called again. Thank goodness! I was called to the federal one at the same time they were picking for the World Trade Center bombing trial. Was sure glad I didn't get picked for that one! Jean

Puffin, glad you got a good report. What are Vitamin K foods? And you walk 10,000 steps a day? Holy cow. Do you ever sit down? Good for you.

Sandra - I'm sorry that your son won't be a psychiatrist. It was the best thing that ever happened to me besides my other support group. I can relate to fighting depression and surviving breast cancer. Sometimes, it's tough for me to be positive which is a requirement for my best healing.

Jury duty: I have a tremor and shake uncontrollably when I'm nervous ... and I have a bladder thing, so it would be hard for me. And, my dh was in security - like law enforcement so I don't have an open mind about criminals.

Anne: will think good thoughts about your brother for his treatment and recovery.

Jackie, love this quote: We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.
We are spiritual beings on a human journey.
Dr. Stephen Covey

I'm packing for a craft show where I'll sell my handmade jewelry and new Survivor breast cancer collection tomorrow. I'm hoping to have a positive attitude about the show. I'm fairly shy and it takes a lot for me to be outgoing and my hands shake when I'm taking the money. I do have a helper to shlep and help me set up and I'm grateful.

Health updates: last visit to surgeon; she said I'm healing really well, to continue the warm compresses and massage. She knows about my 2 shows (next weekend too), and her nurse is supposed to be scheduling a meeting with radiation guy. After meeting with him, I'll decide what to do next. I also know she wants to put me on drugs, anti-hormone or hormone, I'm not sure which. On Facebook, I'm reading all these negative effects, so I'm not sure about that either. A friend who had the same diagnosis and did radiation opted out of the drugs. I already am achy, have arthritis, exhaustion and am crabby so not sure I need drugs to bring out the worst in me.

Speaking of the worst in me, next week, bil has another hearing and after that, we're going to sit down and plan his exit date. Whoopee! I went off again about the electric and water bills, and now the heating season is starting. He's increased our bills and with his washing dishes and cleaning the cats box, it doesn't add up. At least now he's working full time. He did pay for pizza and Chinese for my birthday, but what's $40 compared to hundreds? Nothing. DH said he thinks he's staying until spring, but told him my date is the end of the year. It can't come soon enough. I want my garage and life back to walk around in my PJs and keep the door open when I pee. I'm not sure how I can have peace of mind with him here. Been trying to avoid him sometimes.

Hope you will all pray for him to go.

And please pray for DH who has an ear infection and virus and has been off work for 2 weeks. He's starting to feel better and goes back to Dr. today. He seems so fragile to me, lots of physical problems that no one will do anything about, broken vertebra, bursitis, sinus problems, etc. I'm grateful he went to Dr. He started feeling bad right after my surgery I think and could only deal with 1 thing at a time.

Didn't mean to write a book. Have to get back to work. (working from home today).

Peace,

Linda

linda: Vit K foods are leafy dark greens like romaine and spinach, broccoli, brussel sprouts. Vit K is needed to make the hormone that's used to push the calcium into the bones. Have to be careful if you're also on coumadin, can still eat the Vit K foods but need to be consistent.

The only way I can get the 10,000 steps is to walk the treadmill at the Y every day, if I can get 2 1/2 miles on the treadmill I do pretty well (I use that as my reading time on my Kindle), though some days I still have to go out and walk around the block to finish it off. Love my Fitbit, Lew gave it to me for Christmas. Also have no problem getting in my steps on the days we go shopping at Sam's, Menards, Home Depot, or any of those stores with the long aisles.

gardengumby: no, I'm not on coumadin but am a retired nurse so always try and mention that. For years people on coumadin have been told to be careful with vit K because it interferes with how coumadin works, so they totally stay away from vit K, and now they're having to deal with the side effects of low vit K. They need Vit K too, just needs to be a consistent amount.